Tuesday, 12 July 2011

Hey, Maybe It Really Fell Down The Custody Suite Stairs?

Browsing the local news sites, I came upon this story, which seems to be a slightly different slant to the 'Mail' story yesterday:

A pony that was believed to have been pushed to its death in a lake in Hampshire died accidentally.

Really? My, that was a quick change of direction, wasn't it?

Hampshire police received conflicting stories about what happened, but said on Monday that the pony had died in an accident.

In other words, having two conflicting stories, the police chose to believe the one that's most politically convenient? Having already given official credence to the animal abuse tack in their statements?

Chief Inspector Sarah Jackson said: "There would have been a number of people around at the time, including dog walkers, runners, cyclists, fishermen and other members of the public.

"I would urge anyone who was in the area of Hawley Lake at the time, heard or saw what took place at the lake, or who has any information about this incident to contact us as soon as possible."

Why should they contact you, Sarah, when you've apparently made up your mind it was an accident?

Which is rather curious. Because, at the time, your police spokesman seemed rather clear on what had happened:

Police spokesman Alan Smith added: ‘When the attempt to push a second and third pony into the lake failed, the group of people drove them and their traps away in the direction of Yateley.

‘There were a number of people around at the time including dog walkers and fishermen and we would like to hear from witnesses.’

Perhaps someone heard rather too much from witnesses, and decided it would be better not to ask too many questions?

Certainly, a commenter on the 'Mail' thread, one 'John, from Reading', seems to believe it to be an accident:

"This story is awfully inaccurate and rather spiteful, bordering on racism. I spoke to a friend who works at the lake, teaching sailing, last night and he told me the horses were taken into the water to cool off after a hot ride. Apparently this is a common practice, although it was rather stupid to do it in a gravel pit."

Rather stupid to do it without taking them out of the harness too. And then to flee the scene of the 'accident'...

"More proof (if proof were needed) that what the Police 'service' needs is an officer class.

I don't mean jumped-up plods, I mean proper officers" ...

Robert .. This idea was tried in the 1930's by Lord Trenchard ..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Trenchard,_1st_Viscount_Trenchard

But was, I believe, quietly dropped because it was felt that a directly recruited "Officer Class" would lack the experience of actual "street" policing .. and would be more akin to administrators, with little, or no understanding of every day policing problems ..

I have to say I did think there was more to this story that met the eye. I deal with some gypsies, selling them hay for their horses, and one thing I have learned is that horses are very important to them. The more you have the more important you are in the gypsy hierarchy.

I found it very odd that they would attempt to kill a horse by drowning, while still attached to its trotting cart. They have plenty of ways of disposing of horses without doing that in open view of so many people.

My take would be that they were racing the horses (with the carts attached, possibly for gambling purposes), it was too hot, the horses got over heated, and some bright spark decided to drive straight into the lake to cool the horse down, and it all went wrong from there.

Now you can blame them for racing the ponies on a hot day, but I don't think even gypsies would attempt to drown a horse on purpose in such a way.

But was, I believe, quietly dropped because it was felt that a directly recruited "Officer Class" would lack the experience of actual "street" policing .. and would be more akin to administrators, with little, or no understanding of every day policing problems .."

A fair point, Cap'n, but until the 1950s it was q. usual to have Chief Contables and Deputies at least, drawn from the higher reaches of the Services, because they had leadership, integrity, experience ofman-management, whatever. It's different, now; it seems that the average senior plod would be better off on the beat...

Regarding Gypsies, I also take Jim's point that 'proper' Gypsies are by and large first rate people, but there is a type of 'traveller' scrote which walks the walk only...

" ... but until the 1950s it was q. usual to have Chief Contables and Deputies at least, drawn from the higher reaches of the Services, because they had leadership, integrity, experience of man-management, whatever" ....

I take your point Robert but I think things changed, as those Chiefs & Deputies retired and were replaced by people who had not served in the Armed Forces .. though I do recall that well into the 60's many of the ordinary Bobbies who patrolled the City in which I lived, wore WWII (or later) medal ribbons ..

And, I personally know many former comrades who, well into the 80's were eagerly sought, as recruits by Police Forces all over the country .. then the "touchy-feely", "happy-clappy" mob took over & Ex-Servicemen (and women) fell from favour, to be replaced by those who, because of a lack of life-experience couldn't distinguish Politically Correct bullshit from brown bread ..

. then the "touchy-feely", "happy-clappy" mob took over & Ex-Servicemen (and women) fell from favour, to be replaced by those who, because of a lack of life-experience couldn't distinguish Politically Correct bullshit from brown bread ..That's the problem. Once the percentage of Officers recruited on the basis of their 'diversity' reaches a critical mass, the Police will be well and truly f*cked

I note the lack of response from the RSPCA personnel stationed there....

"Conversely...when people do something they shouldn't ...and don't want anyone to hold them to account...they leave the scene as fast as they can."

Quite!

"I have to say I did think there was more to this story that met the eye. I deal with some gypsies, selling them hay for their horses, and one thing I have learned is that horses are very important to them."

Just as every council estate dweller isn't automatically one of Nightjack's 'Evil Poor' or one of Insp Gadget's 'Swamp Dwellers', so not every gypsy and traveller is of the 'couldn't care less' kind.

Unfortunately, they are outnumbered by the other sort. And as Capt Haddock points out, they have form in this area.

"That's the problem. Once the percentage of Officers recruited on the basis of their 'diversity' reaches a critical mass, the Police will be well and truly f*cked"